The 10 Best International Schools in Qatar 2018

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ACS Doha

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL A Path-breaking Leader in Educational Excellence

Editorial

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reams are shaped as per the mould of belief it is filled into. It is quite similar to the ‘liquid’ filled in the ‘bottle’ of any soft-drink. While the liquid is packed inside, by-default it has the cylindrical shape of bottle itself, but the moment we take it out of the bottle and its shape subtly changes as per the shape of the item it is poured into. Once it is out of its bottled packaging, the liquid has a variety of options; it can acquire a shape of glass, a shape of cup, a shape of mug, a shape of bowl, a shape of tumbler, goblet or chalice. But how will the poor ‘liquid’ know about the availability of all these beautiful options if it is kept confined in the body of packed ‘bottle’?

Paradigm Shift

It is a prevailing mentality of the parents in our generation to try realising their own dreams by superimposing them over the lives of their children. It won’t be an exaggeration to state that majority of careers in our generation is vastly influenced by the wishes of parents. Today, an Engineer is an Engineer just because his parents wanted him to be the one. Though there are multiple exceptions, but we can often come across many Doctors, Bankers, Lecturers and Politicians who are in their specific professions either because their parents were also in the same profession or their parents wanted so. But, does anyone care about what they exactly are passionate of?

As a child, we all are pretty naïve, circumspect and innocent to decide our fortunes. From shaping interests to deciding career-paths, we all are dependent on the directions shown by our parents and teachers. Our lives are directly analogous to the liquid-bottle relationship highlighted here. Our Dreams are bottled into the confinement of beliefs built around us. Children timidly believe in whatever they are made to believe. Childhood is an extremely crucial phase of one’s life. This is the stage when dreams are provided wings to fly. Primary Education is the process of un-bottling the dreams from the confinement. Schools should never focus on mere pouring the liquid-dreams into any shape of their desire, rather the thrust should be upon provisioning of plethora of opportunities and possibilities at school-level which may help the children build their own interests and passion. We are fortunate that this change in approach is already happening in schools across the world. Let the children be empowered enough to decide their fate and career. Let them be a Writer, Dancer, Footballer, Actor or Artist if they wish to be one. Let the liquid make the choice of its container once it is out of the bottle.

This Paradigm Shift is going to become a landmark achievement for us and multiple generations to come. Let us all be the part of this shift! T R

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NOWLED GEREVIEW Education. Innovation. Success

Editor-in-Chief Pooja M. Bansal Senior Editor Anish Miller Managing Editor Crescent Cu Executive Editor Stella Andrew Contributing Editors Aishwarya, Nupur, Ryan Visualiser David King Art & Design Head Amol Kamble Art & Design Assistant Asha Bange Co-designer Paul Belin Art & Picture Editor Sumit Lunawat Business Development Manager Phill Miller Marketing Manager Marry D’Souza Business Development Executives

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December, 2018

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C O N T 20 BLYTH ACADEMY QATAR Teaching community that brings together students in a harmonious, creative, supportive environment

24 COMPASS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL DOHA Committed to Educating and Nurturing Students towards Responsible Global Citizenship

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DOHA ENGLISH SPEAKING SCHOOL A Beacon of Excellence in International Education

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Cover Story

An Institute Offering a Lot More than Quality Education

ACS Doha

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INTERNATIO NAL SCHOOL A Path-breaking Leader in Educational Excellence

08 Editor’s choice May the Force Be with You

QATAR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL “Aspiring to Excellence, Building Futures, and Celebrating Diversity”

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THE ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL GUILDFORD IN QATAR Helping Children to Reach their Highest Potential

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Redening Educational System with a Focused Academic Curricula

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here is no denial to the fact that wealth and prosperity are prominent distinctions of countries in 21st century but it is equally correct to claim that the individual inhabitants of the country concerned are the real driving forces for the attainment of such healthy states. Any individual’s worth is primarily determined by their knowledge and any nation is valued only because of the worthy individuals inhabited therein.

Qatar, a peninsular country on the coastal lands of Persian Gulf, is a nation having a small geographical size but a magnanimous reputation of having Highest Per-Capita Income across the globe. The credit surely goes to the people of Qatar. They are known to be one amongst the most adequately educated section of human population across the planet. On having a closer look on the country’s composition one can easily observe a very interesting fact that – Out of 2.6 million people residing in Qatar, only 0.3 million are Qatari citizens and balance 2.3 million populations is composed of expatriates. While accrediting Qatar’s educated inhabitants for the nation’s wealth, development and prosperity; the contributions of expatriates residing in the country are always talked with utmost high regards. And, this clearly hints towards the pristine quality of International Education being provided in Qatar.

International Schools are main sources of education for non-citizens or expatriates in any country. To decode the secret behind Qatar’s prosperous development, to highlight the direct relationship of Qatar’s development and its educational framework, and to elaborate the role of global educational facilities available in Qatar; we have brought our special edition on “The 10 Best International Schools in Qatar 2018”.

On the cover of the edition, we have ACS Doha International School: A Path-breaking Leader in Educational Excellence.

Along with such an interesting Cover Story, we have enlisted various other institutions, which are creating major influence in the world of education. Among them, a few are Blyth Academy Qatar: Teaching community that brings together students in a harmonious, creative, supportive environment; Compass International School Doha: Committed to Educating and Nurturing Students towards Responsible Global Citizenship; Doha English Speaking School: A Beacon of Excellence in International Education; The Royal Grammar School Guildford in Qatar: Helping Children to Reach their Highest Potential; Qatar International School: Aspiring to Excellence, Building Futures and Celebrating Diversity.

And to further keep the lamp ignited, our in-house editors have crafted masterly written article on “May the Force Be with You” It’s time to flip the pages and enjoy an edu-informational experience with a feeling of reading pleasure. T R

Cover Story

ACS Doha INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL A Path-breaking Leader in Educational Excellence

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CS Doha International School has established itself as one of the leading educational establishments in Qatar over the past seven years. Part of the ACS International Schools group, ACS Doha provides a world class international education to boys and girls aged 3-18 (pre-K to Grade 12).

Celebrating 50 Years of Excellence Founded in 1967 by Gordon E Speed and Emmanuel J Poularas to meet the needs of local and global families; the first ACS school opened in Hampstead, London with one division and 35 students. ACS Currently educates over 2,600 day and boarding students aged 2–18 in the UK representing more than 100 nationalities along with over 900 students at its campus in Doha, Qatar.

Discovering/Exploring the School

“We are a dynamic IB World School for over 900 students and 150 expert faculties and staff from over 70 countries”.

The school offers a globally-recognized international and American curriculum. In Early Childhood (Pre-K3 to Kindergarten) and in Lower School (Grades 1-5) it follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IBPYP). In Middle School (Grades 6-10) the school also offers the prestigious International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IBMYP), and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) in High School (Grades 11–12). Students can also choose an American High School Diploma.

ACS Doha is an IB World School accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, with the membership of the European Council for International Schools and licensed by the Ministry of Education in Qatar.

Introducing the new ACS school in North Doha – Opening August 2020 After opening their first school in Doha in 2011 and rapidly growing the number of students due to strong parent demand for places, ACS Doha enters an exciting new phase in 2018 as they start to build a new state-of-the-art campus for 2470 students in partnership with Al Jaber Group.

The new 60,000sq meter campus, located in Al Kheesa, north Doha will open in August 2020, which is almost three times the size of the current campus. It will feature world-class academic, outdoor and recreational facilities, from future-ready science labs and libraries to dedicated buildings for Lower, Middle and High Schools, and ample parking.

Mr. Ajay Sharma, British Ambassador to the State of Qatar, was present to witness the official signing of the partnership at a special ceremony at Four Seasons Hotel Doha. Mr. Tim Cagney, Chief Executive of ACS International Schools, and Mr. Mohammed Sultan Al Jaber, Chairman of Al Jaber Group, acted as signatories for the partnership agreement.

The new campus will be just 10 kilometers – or a 15-minute drive – from ACS Doha’s current Al Gharrafa campus. In addition, the new campus will benefit from a metro stop that will be built close by as a part of

Doha’s growing public transport network. It will also provide an opportunity for ACS Doha to serve the educational needs of a significant number of growing neighborhoods including Lusail, the Pearl and Um Salal.

Student Support Programs ACS Doha accepts students representing a wide range of nationalities and different academic abilities. The school offers various programs to ensure all students are able to flourish.

The school’s Learning Support program is designed to help students with mild learning difficulties advance in a mainstream school environment.

The goal of the program is to build students’ self-awareness, confidence, and independent study habits so that they can succeed in their coursework.

The key support services are delivered via a combination of in-class inclusion for core academic classes, specialized small group instructional sessions in mathematics and literacy fundamentals.

English as an additional language at ACS Doha serves the need of non-English speaking students from beginners to advanced levels, enabling them to reach a sufficient degree of proficiency in the English language to participate fully in the school's mainstream classes.

ACS Doha Learning support team consists of an EAL teacher, Learning Support teacher and counselor in Early Childhood section. In Lower School, they have an EAL teacher, and Learning Support teacher for each grade level (1-5), as well as counselor.

In Middle and High School there are two Learning Support teachers, guide counselor and college counselor. The Learning support team works closely with other departments and the librarians to ensure an all-around program for the students.

with more than good grades • We enrich the international experience; through providing students with international educational opportunities and delivering an optimal environment for teaching and learning.

Maintaining Student Diversity Beyond the Classroom ACS Doha currently offers fully funded bursaries equivalent to approximately 5% of students enrolled at the school to faculty staff. These bursaries help support their recruitment and retention of quality teachers. With ACS achieving charitable status in the UK, a number of new charitable programs have been initiated in the UK, including financial support and scholarships for eligible students.

Similar programs may be rolled out in Doha in the future.

ACS Doha International School is proud to serve a diverse population of international families not in their home countries by working on the following: • We engage in community; strong partnerships between students, parents, and staff create a genuine feeling of family • We drive positive change; our approach of learning and inquirybased style of teaching position our learners as ambassadors to the national, international and global communities • We promote excellence through learning; inspire all to be the best they can be through varied programmes across our divisions; Students Voice in Lower School and Counseling Programmes in Middle & High School ensure students leave

ACS Doha’s strong core academics are coupled with extensive co- and extra-curricular programs including arts, sport, cultural activities, clubs, social activities, local and international trips – all of which deliver a balanced, student-centered philosophy and ethos.

Students need opportunities to socialize, learn new skills, and have fun together. The school offers various clubs and activities at differing times of the week and school year. They always welcome parent volunteers to further supplement their program. After-school activities are normally held after school day at 2.30 pm and onward. Ø Outdoor Education Program The program offers a range of camping trips for students of all ages. Getting students out into nature is not just fun, but also vital to their educational development. Things to do at camp differ and depend on the age of the participating students.

Their approach is to first introduce the children to the basic skills and then build on these gradually. Ø Clubs The school offers clubs to students as well as parents during and after school day. Club sessions vary depending on interests and demand.

Robert Cody Head of School

Torchbearer of the School “Hospitality and kindness are characteristics of the Qatari community and we try to instill them in everything we do as a school.” Robert Cody, Head of ACS Doha International school.

American national Robert Cody was born in New York and grew up on Long Island, famous for its white sand beaches. Besides New York, he has also lived in other locations such as New Hampshire, Colorado, Cambodia, and Hawaii. This educator holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Keene State in New Hampshire and a Bachelors of Arts from Molloy College in Rockville Center, New York.

With more than 20 years of experience as an educator, administrator, and community collaborator, Robert began his career teaching Middle and High School in New York and New Hampshire, before serving as a High School Assistant Principal in Vermont. He was appointed as the principal of Manitou Springs High School in Manitou Springs, Colorado in 2002.

At ACS Doha, Robert led a successful WASC accreditation visit, resulting in an award of six years, the longest term possible for schools.

“Our strong educational approach embraces the fact that every child comes to us with his or her own hopes and aspirations”. To meet these needs we believe it is important to encourage the pursuit of academic endeavor within a caring environment that finds and focuses on each student’s specific ability and learning style. We are proud of our vibrant and diverse international community, which is represented by our 900 students from more than 70 different countries. We are a truly international environment where the world comes to study and to develop a respect and affinity for the rich and varied cultures reflected in our families and staff”.

- asserts Robert.

This year; parents and staff came together to start an ACS community book club with an objective to read, discuss, explore, learn, and grow together as a community. Another new club that was introduced this year is the Drama club that achieved great success with participation of more than 70 students from all ages.

Music is another integral club and one of the most popular; bands perform in national competition as well as in events taking place in the school. Reading with your child club is open to all the parents after school day with a support from the librarians. ACS Doha Morning broadcast club in its fourth year is a collaboration work among teachers and students. Aquatic club this year is expanded to include Mother-Baby swimming classes. Ø Social Activities A variety of social activities are planned for students and parents after and during school hours with the help of the PSO (Parent-School Organization) and the entire school community.

A wide range of outdoor events with several performances and shows are presented by the students like “Picnic in the Park” Musical show, ACS Doha Got Talent Show, Family Fun Day, sports competitions.

Workshops with various subjects; parenting, mindfulness are offered by parents with specialty in their fields.

Celebrating all the universal and national days together ; National Day of Qatar, Peace Day, Reading

Day, International Mindedness day through a series of activities.

Career Fair week is an annual event inviting parents from different backgrounds to offer grade10 students advice for their future career journey.

The students at ACS Doha obtain as many different academic and positive experiential learning opportunities as possible. The school promotes the expansion of the curriculum into the community. In addition to the trips offered as a part of the curriculum, ACS Doha also offers optional trips that are sports, culture, science and language-related.

Traditional Platform of Success Having a history of brilliance and exceptional performance, ACS Doha has been nurturing its students for the ever-changing competitive world.

With just three graduating classes since its inception, the students of the school, who are still in college, are choosing vibrant career paths. Starting from business, engineering, medicine, and psychology, these students are grasping every opportunity lying ahead of them.

The willingness of the students in choosing non-traditional careers like in art shows the poise with which these students are fostered. Adding another success story under its wing, ACS Doha proudly boasts about students who want to study a major in animation (art). T R

Words of trust “We have built our confidence, achieved many goals, reached important milestones and had a lot of fun along the way. My children have showed enthusiasm in all activities including the Creative Day, International Day and Sports Day.” - Pre-K3 parent “This year was an incredible long run, jumping over hurdles; I made it! I feel I have met a new me, met incredible friends and learned amazing things!

- Aleethia, Grade 4C “ACS Doha is committed to making a significant contribution to the growth of Qatar. We are honored that this expansion resonates strongly with the human development goals of Qatar’s 2030 National Vision, and our own goal to make an ACS education available to more students around the world.

- Mr. Tim Cagney, Chief Executive, ACS International Schools

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Name of the Institution

URL

ACS Doha International Schoo

acs-schools.com/acs-doha

Al Oyoun Street, Al Gharaffa, Doha, Qatar

Arab International Academy

aia.qa

Al Ghadeeriyat St, Doha, Qatar

Blyth Academy Qatar

blythacademyqatar.com

Doha, Qatar

Compass International School Doha

nordangliaeducation.com

Building:34; 926 Al Baihaqi Street; Zone:32,Madinat Khalifa, Doha, Qatar

Doha English Speaking School

dess.org

Al Fajr St, Doha, Qatar

Encyclopedic Child International School

encyclopedicchildpreschool.com/

IPC Ezdan 23, Al Wukhair, Qatar, Qatar

GEMS American Academy Qatar

gemsamericanacademyqatar.com

Mian St., Al Wukair, Al Wakrah Doha , Qatar

GEMS Wellington School - Qatar

gemswellingtonschoolqatar.com

Mian St., Al Wukair, Al Wakrah, Doha

Qatar International School

qis.org

United Nations Street, Doha, Qatar

The Royal Grammar School Guildford

rgsgq.com

Building No. 17, Street No. 631, Zone No. 71, Doha, Qatar

Location of the Institution

BLYTH ACADEMY QATAR Teaching community that brings together students in a harmonious, creative, supportive environment

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“We want to be a global leader in providing accessible, experiential, progressive learning experiences that prepare students for academic success at the primary, intermediate, secondary and post-secondary education levels.”

Established in 2006, Qatar Canadian School, now Blyth Academy Qatar is a renowned international school that embraces diversity, celebrates differences in cultures and engages students in their learning. Blyth Academy is a global leader in providing students from Junior KG to 12th grade with safe, transformative, experiential learning opportunities.

Blyth Academy Qatar is known for its diverse educational environment with students from 51 nations enriching the experience for all students to function in a global society. Graduates of Blyth are equipped to pursue post-secondary studies in Canada and internationally.

The Inception story After several years of exploring and expanding the Alberta Programs of Study, the school applied for accreditation from the Ministry of Education, Alberta Canada. In July of 2016, the school was acquired by Blyth Academy headquartered in Toronto, Ontario. Blyth Education has been delivering quality education for over 30 years in Canada and abroad. In the session 2016-2017, Blyth received accreditation status from the Ministry of Education of Alberta, and in 2018-2019 Blyth was elevated to Tier 3 accreditation.

Today BA continues to serve its learning community under the direction of the Ministry of Education, Qatar in addition to operations as an Alberta Accredited International School. With a current enrolment of approximately 390 students, Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12, the school’s vision is “To create, foster, maintain, and act as a learning environment that embraces the curricula, pedagogy, and interactions that develop compassionate, intelligent and creative problem solvers for our global future.”

The facility is now filled with a diverse population with many students from employees of CNAQ and UCQ. However, the student body is becoming increasingly more diverse and includes a small number of local students. The school continues to grow in popularity and functions at capacity.

A Rainbow of Offerings Using the Alberta Education Program of Studies that is modified and augmented by the programs mandated by the Qatari MoEd., BA offers academic programs to students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 to help them have an overall development. The complementary timetable addresses local programming requirements and options, including: Arabic Language studies, Islamic Studies and Qatar History courses coupled with specialized options for CTF (e.g. Academic Literacy, Business Literacy, Theatre Arts, Nutritional Literacy, and Digital Literacy) in the Junior High and a series of bundled CTS Modules for the options in the Senior High (e.g., Business Foundations, computer studies, French and many online options are offered).

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Teachers at BA are diverse, and most teachers are Canadian trained. They hold either an Alberta Teachers’ Certificate (interim or permanent) or a Letter of Authority from Alberta Education. The teachers who are an exception to this rule are those that are hired locally to teach Arabic Language and Islamic Studies, and these professionals are licensed by the authority of the Supreme Education Council (MoED).

To Look Out for • Small class sizes • Educate students focused on academic success • Autonomy for the individual teaching structure and style to deliver customization of learning to students Impeccable Leadership Blyth Academy had adopted an inclusive leadership structure with the Head of School and Deputy Head of School overseeing the overall management of Blyth Academy. Included on the leadership team are Divisional leads, Guidance Counselors, Student Life Lead and Athletic Lead. These eight teachers alongside the Head’s work collaboratively to set the direction of the school to ensure students have excellent academic programs and an active and engaging extra-curricular program.

To support the Leadership team, Blyth Academy has an active School Advisory Council that is made up of parents, students, faculty and staff. This group meets monthly, or as necessary, to discuss topics of interest and concern and provide the leadership team with guidance and suggestions with regards to school operation.

Students are also included in school management through an active Student and Athletic Council.

At Blyth Academy, all staff is required to contribute to the running of the school by being members of a variety of committees all of which are intended to enhance the academic program and extra-curricular life of the school. Through participation in these particular groups all members of staff, students and parents take ownership in the success of the school.

In addition to the leadership team, the school has managers of finance, IT, facilities, and admissions who serve the parents and faculty. T R

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COMPASS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL DOHA Committed to Educating and Nurturing Students towards Responsible Global Citizenship

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The Nord Anglia Education School is built on quality teaching and recruits only the best teachers from around the world, dedicated to providing an exceptional education for every child.

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mbition is the key that may be hard-wired into our DNA; however, it only becomes activated when properly stimulated. Ambition and positivity are features of human nature that are recognized in our parents, our teachers, and our peers. These attributes are nurtured in many children as they move through their formative years and drives them to greatness in their field. As part of the Nord Anglia family of international schools, Compass International School Doha drives the same ambition towards each student’s education. This British International school is located over three campuses with over seventy nationalities and provides global opportunities for all its students.

Established in 2006, the 1600 strong school has links with over fifty-five partner schools across the world and a global campus of fifty-five thousand students. With the location in Doha, Qatar, it is an International School with campuses located in Gharaffa, Madinat Khalifa, and Rayyan.

Gharaffa and Rayyan Campuses cater for children from Early Years 1 to Year 6 (3 to 11 years old) whilst Madinat Khalifa Campus is a Primary and Secondary School from Year 1 to Year 13 (5 to 18 years old).

The school provides an excellent education for local families looking for a British style education. At Compass International School Doha, our philosophy is all about how teachers and support teams encourage children to Be Ambitious. This philosophy runs through the very core of school life preparing students for future success and encouraging them to be motivated in all areas of their life.

The school strives to achieve the same ambition of developing lifelong learners in all its students.

Accreditations and Associations Compass International School Doha has been awarded accreditation from The School Evaluation Department of the School Evaluation Institute, Qatar. As CISD is part of the Nord Anglia Education family of schools, its students benefit from unique partnerships with The Juilliard School for the performing arts, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as it pertains to STEAM along with UNICEF to help the students become global citizens. The school does not stop there and offers a Masters Programme with Kings College London.

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Furthermore, the following associations accredit the school: • French Bilingual Immersion Classes – Rayyan Campus • Dutch Language – Gharaffa Campus • International Primary Curriculum – a thematic approach to learning with the English National Curriculum for English and Mathematics • IBDP –International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme Compass International School Doha is an approved Council of British International Schools (COBIS) member. Being a Member is a clear mark of quality within the international school’s network and this association is something that the school community is proud of. The school is accredited by various others such as Edexcel, Cambridge International Examinations, LanguageOne, British Schools in the Middle East, The International Baccalaureate, and The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards.

About the Resolute Curriculum The school provides a stimulating education in a welcoming school environment. Its curriculum is divided into the following programmes: Early Years With the power of two international programmes Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum (EYFS) and International Primary Curriculum (IPC), the student forms the base of successful and relevant learning and provide the necessary tools and challenges to support all children at an individual level, throughout their learning journey.

Primary Years The classes allow young children to explore the wonders of reading and mathematics, as well as art, history, geography, music, sport, technology and science. The dedicated teachers also work tirelessly to create an environment in which every child feels supported and included, and in which they learn to respect others and open their eyes to the world. The classroom curriculum is complemented by visits and trips to locations in the local area and beyond.

Lower Secondary - Key Stage 3 The curriculum expands the student’s knowledge of a wide range of subjects while encouraging them to analyze and make connections between them. The curriculum at lower

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secondary level builds childrens’ knowledge and gives them the tools and confidence to critique what they hear and see and to embark on their own learning outside of the classroom.

Upper Secondary – IGCSE In Year 10, students at Madinat Khalifa, start studying for their International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSEs) - an international version of the GCSE exams. The IGCSE exams are built on a number of core subjects. All students are required to take subjects such as mathematics and English, while they will also tackle biology, chemistry, and physics.

These exams provide a solid bridge to further study such as the IB Diploma and give children more autonomy to choose the subjects that inspire them.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) At age 16 and above (Years 12 and 13), students can apply to study for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). This two-year course is a balanced academic programme, building confidence and leadership as well as broadening the students’ understanding of world cultures.

Physical Education, Sport, After-School Clubs, and Expeditions The school’s PE and Sports programmes are an important and compulsory part of the curriculum and include games such as netball, football, basketball, gymnastics, athletics, dance and swimming among others. After-school activities vary from clubs to music, arts, and culture, through to sports. The school works with external companies to provide additional activities. School trips include local museums and attractions for year 1 to 6 students as well as international trips for year 6 and Secondary students.

An Erudite Leader The school is led by a pioneering leader, one that has a wealth of experience from a variety of UK teaching positions to lead, mentoring and management experience in the UK and globally. Dr. Terry Creissen OBE, Executive Principal, worked in a variety of schools prior to joining Nord Anglia Education. Between 1994 and 1997, he was a founding Board Member of the UK Teacher Training Agency for Schools and Chair of its CPD Committee. A former Ofsted Inspector, Terry has been a consultant for the UK Government Innovation Unit and was appointed as an e-learning consultant for the British Educational and Communications Technology Association (BECTA). He was on the National Executive for the National Association

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of Head Teachers (NAHT) and chaired the Schools Funding Forum for three years.

Terry received recognition and was awarded an OBE in June 1997 for “Services to Education.” Terry has been with Nord Anglia Education since 2007, spending over five years at The British International School Shanghai; two years at The British School Warsaw; and joined Compass International School Doha in 2014. Terry is fully immersed in the three campuses and enjoys being involved with daily school life. He is a keen musician, a Fellow of the Royal Society for the Arts (FRSA) and is often seen supporting the school’s band and orchestra.

Students’ Life at Compass International School Doha The children at Compass International School Doha attain an international outlook, a strong community of friends from around the world along with social and academic success. The school provides an educational experience beyond the ordinary, where children exceed all expectations. From the first day of school, CISD treats every child as an individual and understands the relevance of its learning with the perspective of the world. At Compass, children make lifelong friends and achieve academic excellence.

More than Just a School The school conducts various annual events at each campus to motivate students, which are as follows: Spring Fete – a gathering of all students and families to celebrate, before it gets too hot in the desert heat Arabian Night – A celebration of the country and area in which students live, dancing, wares, and Arabic cuisine International Breakfast –A celebration of over seventy nationalities of Compass International School. Families bring dishes from their native countries, dress in their national dress or colors and enjoy dancing, games, and community spirit.

Rainbow Picnic – A family driven event at Rayyan campus with dancing, games, and positivity on a Saturday morning After-School Clubs – Ranging from Histories, Gymnastics, Mad Science, Legos and many more Steam Week – With challenges put together by professors at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the students have the unique opportunity to learn and explore Steam Week – Compass Curiosity Cubes- 2017/18 Steam Week – Compass Possibility Pyramids- 2018/19 T R

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he great physicist, Isaac Newton had very beautifully highlighted an amazing philosophy of life in his 1st Law of Motion. It reads, ‘Anything at Rest will continue to be at rest and anything in Motion will continue to be in motion, until and unless it is acted upon by an External Force’. This law revolutionized the entire field of mechanics but its relevance in human lives is far deeper than what normally appears to naked eyes.

Moments of Inertia When every single object on earth obeys this law, then how can the most amazing creation of nature be an exception to it. Yes, we human beings too are affected by it. No, the effect is not only physical. Inertia has its impacts way beyond the field of physics. ‘Phycological Inertia’ is a reality. We do feel it at every walk of our lives, but knowingly or unknowingly we tend to overlook it. Inertia is nothing but a resistance to change. And, our minds are quite aware of its significance. We can sense it every morning when we try to adopt a habit of morning-walk, as a Change.

We can sense it every time we try to inculcate a habit of healthy eating by giving away the junk-foods, as a Change.

Not only these, the effect of Inertia can be felt every single time whenever we think of changing a job, or moving to a new city, or opting a new course. Human mind tends to resist the change every time it senses ‘Any Eminent Change in the Way of Living’. As our societies, communities and countries are comprised of nothing but we individuals, inherently these too are not fond of radical changes, be it a deviation from their own culture and tradition or an option to adopt good practices non-native to them. So, what is the missing link here? It is the External Force.

Beauty of Relativity A famous ghazal in Urdu language briefly translates to – “If it provides a cold comfort to your heart, the false thought; no matter how bad it is, is not bad at all”. It goes without saying that more often than not, we restrict our thoughts, our actions and our reactions on the basis of several ‘selfcomforting-fabrications’ that we have construed in our minds. Deep down even if we are aware that such notions are restricting our advancement at large, we timidly accept those as our fate. This is nothing but yet another seed of Inertia. While Relativity plays a huge role in its germination, the Frame of Reference acts as a catalyst to the entire process. Let’s have one simple example to understand this complex phenomenon. At some point of our lives or the other, we all have travelled in trains. Ever noticed how do we gauge the speed of a running train? One cannot judge the speed of a train while sitting inside any of its closed compartment. For appreciating its speed, either one has to look outside through the windows or has to get down from the train to have a look on it. The inability of making a judgement of speed is due to Relativity and the

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subsequent resolutions by looking out of windows or getting down from train are the acts of switching the Frame of Reference.

Pursuit of Motion Phenomenon of relativity is applicable to our lives too. We all are travelling in our individual trains of life. The speed of train is analogous to the progress of our lives. If we keep ourselves settled in closed compartments (read selfcomforting-fabrications) assuming that our train (read life) is moving at nice and high speed (read progress), quite obviously we would miss-out on much needed efforts to enhance its speed. This becomes more dangerous if in actuality it is crawling at snail’s pace and we are unaware of it. So, to alter the motion of our lives, we are required to break the shackles of inertia. To break the shackles of inertia, we need to look out of the windows i.e. change our frame of reference and compare ourselves with changing and progressing world. But, why are not we readily doing the that. What is the missing link here? It is the External Force.

Probing the Missing Link As a matter of fact, flora and fauna face extreme difficulty in accepting any form of change. They are highly inertial to alteration in their habitats, their surroundings, their food, and their climate. But, it is equally true that they do not need to pursue progressiveness for survival, as much as we human do. Human beings are slightly more flexible to changes as compared to other forms of life on earth. So, it is quite obvious to conclude that the difference lies in education and awareness that emboldens us with this perspective.

The biggest problem that we are facing now days is the ‘sense of denial’ inside our minds. Not only we love our state of ‘Rest’ but also, we keep convincing ourselves that we are actually moving at good pace and life is so good. All this is happening because we are missing the cue of relativity and getting trapped in our own frame of reference.

The absence of requisite external force in form of proper awareness further adds to this conundrum. If we feel that life is so easy, quite possibly we are not challenging ourselves at all. State of Rest is not our destiny.

Progressiveness shall be our way of life. All we need to do is to keep educating our minds and keep refreshing our thoughts with recent advancements happening across the globe. Education is the External Force that will help us getting rid of Inertia. Awareness is the External Force that will enable us changing our Frame of Reference. Let us embrace this Force and race on the track of selfimprovements. Let us seek new changes and run on the path of progressiveness. Let us be the individuals we are destined to be. T R

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DOHA ENGLISH SPEAKING SCHOOL A Beacon of Excellence in International Education

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“We provide a safe and happy environment as a basis for all of our school community to engage in learning”

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ocated in Doha, Qatar, Doha English Speaking School (DESS) is an outstanding British Embassy sponsored primary school with over forty years of history where children aged 3-11 reach their full potential academically and beyond. DESS is proud to be one of the longest established schools in Qatar.

The school started in 1971 when an English speaking primary school catering for British children was first built.

The junior school was opened in February 1979 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani. The school is in the process of expanding their facilities to provide a ‘state of the art’ new building where children will be educated to Year 7 from 2019 and then Year 8 from 2020.

From the Leader’s Desk At DESS we deliver an education to our children through the British curriculum, a world renowned education system which will allow your child to continue their education internationally or into the British education system whether that be secondary education or through a seamless transition back to the UK. With virtually all of our teachers being British trained and facilities and grounds of the highest quality, we have a basis for learning which reminds our students and parents of a traditional British school, whilst still having a strong, multi-cultural and international feel.

The children at DESS achieve academic results which are significantly above those demonstrated in the UK national average statistics and their sporting achievements are outstanding. Our wide range of extra-curricular provision also helps our children to become well rounded individuals but most importantly our children are happy and confident individuals who are a joy to work with. Students at the end of Year 6 leave DESS well prepared for UK independent schools, grammar schools and local schools they then go on to attend.

We are very proud of our history in Qatar and many of our students keep in touch with us as Alumni which are remarkable for a primary school and a reflection of the fondness they feel for Doha English Speaking School.

- says Sean.

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Sean Sibley Headteacher

THE TORCHBEARER OF THE SCHOOL Sean Sibley is currently the Head-teacher at DESS (Doha English Speaking School) which was graded as Outstanding in May 2017 by the OFSTED accredited inspectorate, PENTA. Sean guides the staff to provide a happy and secure atmosphere so that the children are able to enjoy learning.

Providing Blooming Opportunities DESS delivers the English National Curriculum through UK qualified teachers. The Curriculum is split into three different stages, according to a child’s age, Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. It is broad and balanced, and provides every child with the best opportunity to develop academically, socially, morally, physically and creatively.

Foundation Stage - Each child is taken through the six areas of learning which forms the English National Curriculum Framework by being encouraged to learn through fun activities such as play and exploration. It ensures physical development, personal, social and emotional development along with literacy, and maths to help students understand the world and expressive arts and design that are all needed at this stage for the child’s development.

Key Stage 1 and 2 - Children develop an all-round education based on the English National Curriculum and are taught core subjects (Maths, English and Reading) as

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well as specialist subjects in Computing, Science, PE, and Languages. The curriculum has been adapted to deliver Arabic to every child at this level.

School trips and extra-curricular activities as well as roles in the School Council, the DESS Environmental Group and class Technical Genius roles all add to a child’s development at this stage of their lives.

The subjects taught at this level include: Art, Design and Technology, Maths, English, Reading, Arabic, French, Computing, Science, Music, PE, History, Geography, Drama, Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE).

Quality with a Difference The school work to create an environment where children have respect and care for each other. There are opportunities for children to make friends across the school in their class and Year Groups, sports teams, extra-curricular activities and other opportunities that offer children leadership roles such as the DESS School Council.

Health and well-being is a priority at DESS. The school has a dedicated nurse and a full-time Health and Safety Officer.

Online safety is also very important; they raise awareness of online safety at school with both parents and children. DESS also provides lessons in PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) as a part of the core curriculum, in which children learn important social life skills such as what it means to be a good friend and how to take care of their health and their bodies.

The school also offers something very unique at DESS, a dedicated mentor for parents and children to speak with. Their 'Learning Mentor’ provides a link between the school and home, offering guidance on aspects which expats in particular may find challenging such as transitioning between countries or schools.

Extra-curricular Activities Sport - DESS is well equipped to deliver a diverse physical education program to its students. Children of all ages are encouraged to take part in lessons as well as national competitions. DESS has a sporting prowess to be proud of having come second in the 2018 British International Schools Qatar Games, as well as winning many other national competitions.

Technology - Technology is part of everyday learning at DESS and is used to enhance the curriculum program. iPads are used by its pupils from Years one to six. The interactive classrooms encourage children to become familiar with technology from an early age and are used to present to the pupils. Computing is a core subject taught at DESS, a syllabus complemented by a well-equipped, dedicated computing suite.

Music - DESS offers music lessons across all Year Groups and opportunities in music outside of school hours. During school hours, music is a core subject taught to every child where pupils learn music theory, sing and play instruments as part of their lessons. Pupils have the opportunity to take part in instrumental lessons inside and outside of school hours.

The school choir won the 2018 Qatar Primary School Choir of the Year Competition and is well known throughout the country, performing at high profile events, even at the British Embassy, other local events and national competitions. In 2017 their choir was the first international choir to perform at ‘Choirfest Middle East’.

Drama – DESS think it's important for children to have the opportunity to express themselves outside of the classroom in a fun environment. DESS is fortunate to have a fully equipped stage with lighting and sound equipment. Year 6 and Foundation Stage children perform imaginative and creative fully choreographed musical productions. Children who are keen on amateur dramatics can also attend an extra-curricular activity at DESS and work towards LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) qualifications.

Friends of DESS - Friends of DESS is the fundraising forum for DESS parents and teachers. Every year, the Friends organise fantastic events such as the Community Garden planting morning, Winter Fair, ice lolly days and bake sales for the children to enjoy. T R

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GEMS AMERICAN ACADEMY QATAR An Institute Offering a Lot More than Quality Education

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“We firmly believe that education is about overall student development and, as a GEMS international school community, we promote growth through learning, global citizenship, the pursuit of excellence, and leadership through innovation.”

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ocated at Al Wakra, Qatar, GEMS American Academy Qatar (GAAQ) is a state-of-the-art center of inspirational learning that enables students to make decisions independently, solve problems effectively, and interact positively with tolerance. This prominent school offers a rigorous American curriculum from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 to its multi-cultural student body. Along with U.S. core standards-based academics, it provides an Advanced Placement (AP) Program as well as a robust extra-curricular program to support the holistic development of a child.

The major learning principles of GAAQ are: developing healthy connections, goal setting, authentic assessment and constructive feedback, effective use of time, and nurturing independence and inquiry. This institution empowers its students to attain their goals and to become successful citizens in the global community. The academy actively cultivates the values of respect, innovation, leadership, purpose, and tenacity in their scholars.

Perfectly Tailored Curriculum Early Years Curriculum GAAQ’s early-years program is based on a creative curriculum revolving around five important developmental strands: social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language. These are integrated into themed units throughout the year using interest centers based around drama, science, literature, art, creative play, music, gross-motor, outdoor play, and other free-play choices. The curriculum also includes other daily activities to promote developmental skills in all areas.

Elementary School: Grades 1 to 5 The school has a solid curriculum in place for these students that emphasize basic skills in all subject areas and introduces higher-level challenges to students to stimulate their interests. The curriculum fosters the concept that learning is enjoyable and rewarding as well as providing a variety of provisions to support individual learning. In addition to the core subjects, GAAQ allows students to T H E

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Mark Lentz Head of the School

THE GUIDING LIGHT OF GAAQ Mark Lentz, the Head of the School, arrived at GAAQ in the spring of 2016. He defines the school as an amalgamation of top notch facilities, well-behaved and engaged students, dedicated teachers, and a positive, supportive learning environment. Under his leadership, GAAQ, as a young school, has grown quite a bit over the last few years. It has gone from 820 students to nearly 1,100 students, adding competitive sports teams, increasing academic rigor and support, introducing advanced placement classes, developing a student support team, creating a school motto and mascot, maintaining the highest parent satisfaction rate, all while furthering the school's mission, “We are the Raptors and together we will soar to new heights!” says Mark.

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have elective classes in physical education, music, art, Arabic language for native and non-native speakers, Islamic education for Muslims, library, and IT. Middle School: Grades 6 to 8 The school realizes that children in this age group are transitioning into adolescence and exploring the essential questions of identity, purpose, and meaning more deeply than before. Therefore, GAAQ complements the core curriculum by including a variety of exploratory classes that make the middle-school experience special. Students are given a choice of which classes to take while exploring personal interests and possible career choices. The classes offered have been specifically designed by inspired, credentialed teachers to engage students in learning opportunities that focus on creating, connecting, and collaborating. The institute has grouped the learning skills in three strands: Literacies, Competencies, and Character Qualities.

High School: Grades 9 to 12 GAAQ believes that the recipe for excellence in high-school classrooms consists of knowledgeable adults, a focus on classroom culture, and a passion for the development of self and others. Within this framework, it is moving forward in its pursuit to get every student to and through college. For high school, the institute offers a dynamic college and career preparatory education and support system that encourages student achievement, maturity, and independence. Its classrooms have fewer than 25 students and it follows the norms of team and discussion-based learning. Alongside, all the teachers utilize technology to support and enhance their lessons and each classroom is equipped with CTouch technology.

In addition to this, GAAQ hosts various annual events including United Nations Day, Qatar National Day, and Spring Festival. To motivate its students, it also conducts a bevy of extra-curricular activities including sports, music, athletic initiatives, tutoring, and enrichment clubs.

Life at GAAQ At GAAQ, students enjoy an enriching student life experience through several outlets. The school has after school activity offerings such as sports, reading, art, yoga, chess, math, music and theater performances, service learning trips, girl scouts, volunteering, honors classes, AP coursework, and many more. Additionally, it has various student-led initiatives such as QINOCON, Yearbook Club, and monthly school spirit activities.

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Students also benefit from the diverse school culture.

GAAQ is home to over 80 different nationalities. It is a representative of various multi-linguistic, multiethnic and multicultural parents, students, and school community members. In addition, GAAQ’s teachers have a similar diverse background, so students and teachers develop a trusting and genuine relationship. This international vibe at the school ultimately improves the quality of education, helps students feel safer, reflects the world, and challenges school administration to implement diversity programs that positively impact parents, students, and staff.

Making the Students Future-Ready GEMS American Academy Qatar believes that all people have unconditional worth and potential. So, one of its goals is to cultivate a lifelong and engaged learning environment where students, parents, and teachers pursue learning long-term and appreciate curiosity and imagination.

Moreover, the school teaches in diversified learning styles, where students learn through various approaches such as visual, auditory, and tactile instructions. Also, students are encouraged to participate in global academic programs such as Model United Nations or the International History Bee to explore their passions. Owing to the same, one of GAAQ’s students created his own youth business conference in Qatar called ‘QINOCON’ and recently did a TEDx talk on ‘7 Precepts of Successful Event Organization’. The institute also supports student-led, teacher-supported initiatives, such as its AP Environmental Science class taking the charge on GAAQ becoming an eco-friendly, green school in 2019.

Ultimately, the school aims for its students to learn in the classroom and apply the knowledge through real-life applications so that they can understand and remember the experience.

Career Opportunities for Students This academic year marks the first graduating class at GAAQ. In fact, history was recently made as one of GAAQ’s seniors was recently accepted as an early applicant to George Mason University in Virginia, U.S.A! Prior to graduation, the senior students at the school have been encouraged to take up internships outside of the school. This has helped them explore various career options and become more informed about possible career pathways that will influence their collegiate course of study. At the conclusion of the school’s internship program, students create a presentation on leadership skills needed in today’s workforce and offer an honest reflection of their internship experience. T R

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QATAR INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL “Aspiring to Excellence, Building Futures, and Celebrating Diversity”

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“We aim to equip our students with the knowledge, skills and capabilities to become self-reliant career managers, who are able to make the best possible educational, training and life choices.”

Mr. Deane Baker Principal

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atar International School is a fully accredited British International School, located in the Dafna district of Doha. The school was founded in 1977 making it one of the first British schools in Qatar. Just over 40 years later and QIS is now one of the largest and most successful schools in the country, with 2,000 students on role.

Conveniently situated beneath the impressive skyscrapers and business centre of West Bay, the school occupies a unique, purpose built campus. Here it has developed the full range of specialist school facilities, which more than meet UK standards. The school is blessed with almost 130 classrooms, all equipped with the latest technology and resources. These obviously include more than 14 well-appointed Science laboratories, numerous ICT suites, a swimming pool, playing field, and 2 large sports halls.

Since 2013, when the current Principal, Mr. Deane Baker, took over, the school has embarked on a journey to be not only the best school in the country but one of the best British International Schools in the World. With more than 20 years school leadership experience in the UK and a team made up entirely of British professionals, the Principal strives to maintain the highest standards of the current English Education system.

Children are taught in Key Stages from Early Years through to KS5 and examinations are taken in GCSE, IGCSE and A Levels, using UK examination boards. In general, 50% of the sixth form students leave to universities in the UK but also the USA, Canada and elsewhere. All English Curriculum staff are UK qualified or experienced and the school prides itself on ensuring it keeps up to date with the very best international practice and training. In the last 4 years the school has achieved more than 4 “Best in World” examination results at both IGCSE and A Level.

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TORCHBEARER OF THE SCHOOL The Principal, Mr. Deane Baker, took over the leadership of the school in 2013. Under his excellent guidance the school has embarked on a journey to be not only the best school in the country but also one of the best British International Schools in the World. The Principal strives to maintain the highest standards of the current English Education System. He has over 27 years’ experience of leadership and teaching the English Curriculum of which 23 years were in the UK. His entirely British leadership team brings the best the UK has to offer to this outstanding international school in Qatar.

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Complementing these achievements have been no less than 15 awards for results that were “Best in Country” and “Best in Region,” firmly establishing its reputation as one of the leading British Schools in Qatar and the Middle East.

In 2015 QIS received the highest possible grading from the Qatar National School’s Accreditation programme and was certified for 5 years. The following year the school was awarded full BSO status (British School Overseas) by the UK Government following an excellent inspection in October 2016. Since then the school has continued to renew its accreditation as well as becoming the only provider in the region for the prestigious Olevi International Teacher Training Programmes, becoming a designated Centre of Excellence in 2018, one of only 8 schools in the world to do so. This very much reflects the QIS commitment to the highest quality of teaching learning.

Our student body is truly international, with over 60 different nationalities represented within the current cohort. Throughout the year they participate in numerous events, both inside and outside of the school, including a wide variety of Sports, Model United Nations, International Award and World Scholar’s Cup. The school calendar is packed with other activities to celebrate both the local and international nature of its work.

National Day, International Day and School Fair are all major events involving the whole school community coming together to celebrate success and diversity.

While the teaching staff is predominantly British and the curriculum is taught in English, the school is adept at integrating students from varied cultural and academic backgrounds. Qatar International School prides itself in the care it takes of its students and the school family is a warm and welcoming one. It knows that only by making sure that its children feel happy and safe can they really learn and develop to their full potential and ability. T R

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THE ROYAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL GUILDFORD IN QATAR Helping Children to Reach their Highest Potential

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“We want to be a community which is internationally recognised for the quality of learning, where our pupils can excel and develop into caring and confident individuals who are well prepared for the challenges ahead”.

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ocated in Qatar, The Royal Grammar School Guildford, in Qatar (RGSGQ) is the first international branch of the UK’s prestigious, 500-year-old Royal Grammar School Guildford (RGS), which has retained a worldwide reputation for academic excellence. The School’s facilities are first class and their plans for the future are ambitious, which will see pupils aged 3 to 18 receive an RGS education in Qatar.

The School currently has pupils from over 30 countries and will continue to expand its global endorsement. The School’s multi-cultural education aims to instill a lifelong love of learning and a determination to excel for their multi-national community.

Inception Story

Alistair Downs Head of School

THE HEAD OF SCHOOL Bringing a well-established School from the UK to Qatar required hiring a high-calibre individual with a strong sense of commitment, significant experience and specific knowledge of setting up an educational establishment from inception. Mr. Alistair Downs, the Head of School at RGSGQ has a proven track-record of such an assignment.

Following months of negotiations, it was agreed that the RGS would open a brand new school, offering a first-class education to boys and girls, in Doha, in September 2016. At the core of the RGS’ mission and values are tradition, innovation and diversity, whilst creating a place where all pupils can learn within a happy environment.

From the onset, Mr Downs has set a precedent whereby the needs and safety of the pupils are, above all else, the utmost priority. Whilst the Head of School has high expectations from all the pupils attending RGS, his message to staff and parents is that every child must feel safe, respected and happy in order to fully realise his/her potential.

The Head of School’s achievements are clearly visible, having created a nurturing environment where the whole school community, pupils, parents and staff all benefit from the support of each other's efforts.

Mr Hamad Al Qamra provided the location and funding for a brand new school building to be constructed on the site of a previous school in Umm Salal Mohammed. Many challenging months of construction works took place, alongside the recruitment of a highly-qualified and experienced team of staff led by the current Head of School, Mr. Alistair Downs. A specific marketing plan was created to promote the School’s reputation to parents in Qatar.

Phase 1 of the RGSGQ for boys and girls Early Years and

The Head of School’s continuous collaboration with the UK Governing body and the Chairman, to maintain the ethos and values of the RGS, has achieved a successful transition of a top-class educational establishment in the UK, to adapting and fulfilling the requirements of a newly opened school within the international market: and without compromising the traditional RGS academic standards of excellence.

In 2015, the now owner and Chairman of the RGS Guildford in Qatar, Mr Hamad Al Qamra, first approached the Governors of the RGS, UK with his aim to establish a school in Qatar that would offer the highest standard of education, for which the RGS is renowned.

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Primary, enrolled its first pupils in 2016; whilst work continued on Phase 2, the Senior School, for Years 7 and 8, which opened for the 2018/19 academic year. Plans to complete the final Phase of the Senior School are in place for 2019/20.

Throughout initial negotiations it was conditional that the School’s facilities must compliment the high standard of education offered at RGSGQ. This is prevalent with the School’s state-of-the-art resources, spacious classrooms, first-class sports facilities, a swimming pool and fully-equipped playground; and where specialist subjects benefit from a Science lab, IT Suite and Music Technology room.

The determined efforts of all parties concerned which include the Chairman, the Governing Body and the Head of School, serve to maintain and preserve the RGS’s educational expectations of all round excellence.

Academic Programme and Extra-Curricular Activities The School follows a bespoke British Curriculum, which includes the RGS enhanced Learning Habits. These Learning Habits include the ability to learn with creativity, to work effectively with others, to be reflective and to take responsibility for a pupil’s own learning and organisation.

From this, pupils achieve the outstanding academic progress for which the School is renowned, and equips them with life skills for the challenges they will face beyond life at the RGS. They will have the know-how, the ability, social skills and confidence to achieve their ambitions.

At the RGS, learning extends beyond the classroom. An extended day is available to all pupils. Each term offers a wide range of Extra-Curricular Activities (ECAs) across the whole school, from Early Years to Key Stage 3. Parents and pupils are encouraged to provide input as to the kind of ECAs they would like the School to offer and currently they include: Science Club; Mindfulness; Music Technology; Football (Boys & Girls); Creative Writing; Art Club; Gymnastics; Book Club; Cooking; Drama; Sensory Play; Variety Sports; Ukelele, Guitar & Keyboard Club; Maths Club; Sewing Club, Singing, Arabic; French and more.

ECAs are varied throughout the academic year to inspire and motivate pupils’ interest; as are the RGS whole school events which involve parents and pupils participating together in a vibrant setting for International Day, Qatar National Day and the Annual Spring Fair, among others. The RGS aspires to bring families together. With the commitment and dedication of an active Parents’ Association, alongside an army of enthusiastic parent volunteers, regular weekend picnics, monthly coffee mornings and whole school events allow for a strong bond to develop amongst pupils and parents alike.

Whole School Community and Achievements The RGS offers a diverse range of initiatives to encourage the academic and personal growth of its pupils. Displaying and celebrating pupils’ work is essential for building self-confidence. The weekly Thursday ‘Achievement Assembly’ recognises and praises those pupils who have excelled during the week and demonstrated one or more of the RGS Learning Habits, such as teamwork, independence and reasoning. Superstar Certificates are presented for academic achievement and excellent all round behavior. Trophies are presented to the ‘Class of the Week’ for attendance and punctuality. Good manners and healthy eating are rewarded with an invitation to join the Head of School for lunch at the Top Table. The highly effective rewards system acknowledges and celebrates the achievements and successes of all RGSGQ pupils.

Throughout the year, awareness days and specific topic weeks are held to promote areas of learning; such as Health Week, Book Week, Art Week, Maths Week and more. While regular Parents’ Workshops are offered to encourage an understanding and involvement in their child’s learning and include Early Years Phonics and Early Years Writing Workshops; Parents’ Maths Workshops and a Reading Comprehension Workshop. Each contributing towards the development and collaboration of the whole school community. T R

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| December 2018 |

T H E

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N O W L E DEducation.

G E RInnovation.

E V I Success EW

T H E

TM

N O W L E DEducation.

G E RInnovation.

E V I Success EW

| December 2018 |

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